THE BASICS

TREATMENTS

SAD BUT TRUE

NUBBINS

YEAST INFECTIONS IN MEN

Yes, it's true, men can get yeast infections
too. and not just thrush,
the oral yeast infection that is common in men who are immune compromised. Men can get penile
yeast infections, and although i've never had one myself, I hear it's not pleasant.
Not only that, but heterosexual couples who have unprotected sex can pass yeast
infections back and forth endlessly, so it seems like it might be a good idea
to learn more about male yeast infections and get your boy cleaned up if there's
reason to suspect he has a yeast infection of his own.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot of
information available about penile yeast infections. I am working to update
this page, based on the many emails i've received from helpful men. In the meantime,
here's the scoop.

CAUSES

Men get yeast infections for the same reasons that wimmin do, although the likelihoods are different. The main causes of penile yeast infections
are listed below.

SEXUAL TRANSMISSION: Candida can be transmitted between people by direct contact,
and so can be considered a sexually-transmitted disease.
A yeast-infected woman who has unprotected sex with a man can infect her lover,
treat her own infection, and then get reinfected next time she has sex with
him. If you or your lover has an active infection you should be extra-careful
to follow safer sex guidelines until you are sure both of you are infection-free.
During an infection or while being treated, refrain from vaginal intercourse,
wash your hands or change your gloves in between touching your own crotch and
your partner's, and keep those sex toys really really clean.

ANTIOBIOTICS: Although far less common than sexual transmission, the other
main cause of penile yeast infection is prolonged antibiotic use. The male body
has a standard contingent of creatures that inhabit the crotch, and antibiotics
can rid the body of the good ones, allowing the normally-occurring yeast to
take over.

DIABETES: Men with diabetes are more susceptible to yeast infections,
presumably because the elevated sugar in the urine makes for yummy yeast food.
If you have frequent yeast infections and have other symptoms of diabetes, like
you're always thirsty and you have to urinate often, definitely go see a doctor.

NONOXYNOL-9: Although it's not at all the same problem, this seems like
as good a place as any to warn you that i've seen occasional rumors in gay magazines
saying that condoms with nonoxynol-9 added to the lubricant may contribute to
anal yeast
infections. This is very plausible given that we know it can
cause vaginal yeast infections. If this is a problem for you, try using
a condom that doesn't have a spermicidal lubricant.

SYMPTOMS

It's tricky to tell when men have yeast
infections, because they can have a penile yeast infection without having symptoms.
When they do have symptoms, it can be really awful; i was once told by an infected
man that he "wished it would just fall right off." Here are some signs of the
dreaded penile yeast infection:

The most common symptom is irritation and soreness of the head of the penis.
Apparently it can itch like crazy, too.

Yeah, men can get a discharge, including that clumpy nasty white stuff. Also,
the head of the penis may turn reddish or get little blistery things.

I haven't heard of it smelling like anything, but if you can smell yeast,
you better bet you should get your boy some treatment.

NOTE: According to the emails I get, the symptoms can be perilously close to those of genital herpes: little red itchy bumps are not uncommon with penile yeast infections. If you aren't absolutely certain, go see a doctor for testing and diagnosis.

DO-IT-YOURSELF TREATMENTS

A while ago, i received an email from a gentleman who, on the advice
of a doctor, had tried using an over-the-counter vaginal cream (Monistat) to treat
his penile yeast infection. I guess he just rubbed the stuff on the outside of
his penis. Anyway, he said that it didn't work at all until he added a few drops
of white vinegar to it to a small blob of cream, and then it worked overnight.

He also warned against applying straight vinegar, which he said "eats right through
the skin". 'Nuff said.

Since posting that suggestion, I've received quite a few emails from people
whose doctors have recommended applying Monistat directly to the surface of
the penis to cure yeast infections. Most say it works fine. So hey, I guess
you can go ahead and try it, and if it doesn't start to work in a day or two,
try adding a little vinegar. What do you have to lose? (Okay, maybe it could
fall off.)

PRESCRIPTION TREATMENTS

The only tried-and-true method of treating a penile yeast infection
is to blast those yeasties with prescription drugs that are ingested systemically
and probably have side-effects. Furthermore, procuring such drugs will almost
always involve a trip to the doctor. Take heart, though, that your man almost
certainly won't be subjected to stirrups and speculums. There are two drugs commonly
used to treat penile yeast infections:

Diflucan (fluconazole) which has the advantage of being broad spectrum, so it will kill other species of Candida and some other fungi, but the disadvantage that apparently allergies to it are not uncommon.

Nizoral (ketaconazole) is apparently really broad spectrum, powerfully evil stuff, and kills everything. It can also trash your liver, and reduces the adrenals' ability to make steroids, like testosterone.